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The subject of intentional breeding or meat rabbits is prohibited. The answers provided on this board are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. It is your responsibility to assess the information being given and seek professional advice/second opinion from your veterinarian and/or qualified behaviorist.

Our 5 month old (male) mini lop house-bunny, Cheeky has watering, red and swollen eyes for over a week now. It was only in one eye for the first few days but then started in the second eye. There was some milky discharge from one eye. He's eating, drinking and going to the toilet ok. We took him to the vet on Monday, he was given a good examination. She checked his teeth and they were ok. She ruled out myxomatosis. She diagnosed him with conjunctivitis and prescribed an antibiotic ointment (Chloromphenicol) and steroid eye drops (Pred Forte). She told me to start with the antibiotics and then add the steroid eye drops after two days. I've been cleaning around his eyes with cooled boiled water and cotton pads.

He's been on treatment for four days now, I'm just wondering when I should be seeing an improvement. He seemed to improve after the first and second day just using the antibiotics but after we started using the steroid eye drops his eyes seemed quite red again. Has anyone experience in using steroid eye drops on their bunnies? I had a Netherland dwarf over 15 years ago, he's the only rabbit I had that ever had any eye problems, I remember using antibiotic eye ointment then but not steroid eye drops.

I haven't changed his hay or anything. I did throw out one bag of hay because it was a little dusty and didn't smell as fresh as normal. I don't use wood shavings or anything like that.

I'm considering just using the antibiotic ointment and stopping the steroids for now to see if they improve. His eyes look very red and he's squinting. I just want him to be comfortable.

My vet has gone on holidays and I can't ask her right now. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

thanks,

Clare.

Sarita(Dallas)

Forum Leader

18277 posts

8/30/2012 5:17 AM

I agree with you. Rabbits can be sensitive to steroids so perhaps that is why it is irritating his eyes.

ClareB

3 posts

8/30/2012 5:33 AM

Posted By Sarita on 08/30/2012 08:17 AM
I agree with you. Rabbits can be sensitive to steroids so perhaps that is why it is irritating his eyes.

Thanks for the reply Sarita. I'll continue with the antibiotic ointment and hold off on the steroid drops. Hopefully his eyes will improve then. Poor little guy.

ClareB

3 posts

9/02/2012 11:52 PM

Update - Cheeky's eyes improved after 24 hours after stopping the steroid eye drops. He's almost better now just on the antibiotic ointment. He's so much happier now too! : )

LittlePuffyTailNew Brunswick, Canada

Forum Leader

12208 posts

9/03/2012 1:24 AM

Glad to hear he's feeling better. My vet dislikes steroids for bunnies and will only administer them if there is absolutely no alternative.

And Welcome to you and Cheeky.

Proud to be a Bunny Hugger and a voice for the voiceless

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